Jerry Yang, Family Guy of Poker

Poker and its place in history, often makes people think of the back room in some bar, or a spot in a dark alley. Often heavy drinking and smoking come to mind as well, not the most family oriented game or rule of thought. This year, thanks to the new World Series of Poker Champion, this may all change.

Jerry Yang, the new ‘kid' of the poker world, and the WSOP Champ for 2007, is a married father of 6, who empathically thanked God during the main event. Recently he got into trouble with his wife about playing poker, which is quite common. Even Greg Raymer had to convince his wife he wasn't spending the grocery money on his past time, his tactic was to create a company that would fund his poker. Back to our new champion, it is obvious he is without doubt far from the stereotypical poker professional. This gives a new look and fresh face for the poker world.

How will poker fair from it's new champ? It's difficult to predict, but Yang will be embraced as an improvement on last year's champ Jamie Gold, the Hollywood producer. Yang is further off the expected norm for the poker players than most would anticipate. Looking at this from the new 20 something poker perspective, he may not be embraced as one of them. From those who are enjoying poker and are part of a family, the approaching middle age fathers and working professionals may welcome Yang as one of their own. This would bring a more solid foothold in family home.

Regardless of the impact Jerry Yang will have on the poker community, it will be worth watching, and learning.